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The Opening of Corgarff Hall 1892 |
Corgarff Snippets Page 2 - on the mchardy family of corryhoul website
This is a place for stories and snippets about the district of Corgarff.
If you have something you would like added here then get in touch ****mchardy@tinyonline.co.uk (remember to remove the 4 stars to get the correct email address).
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The Opening of Corgarff Hall 1892 |
The following appeared in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, April 18th 1835 at p3 column 4.
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At a time when the want of Church accommodation is so much and so justly complained of, it gives us pleasure to learn that Sir Charles Forbes, Bart., of Newe and Edinglassie has resolved to erect, at his own expense, on the upper part of his Strathdon and Corgarff estates, a new Church and dwelling house for one of the General Assembly's Missionaries. Such liberal conduct deserves the warmest approbation of all friends of the Established Church, and adds another to the many instances of Sir Charles sincere regard for the welfare of his native country. |
The growing season in Corgarff is short and farmland poorer than the lowland areas of Aberdeenshire. Periods when crops failed brought much hardship to the inhabitants. It is just one such period of hunger that is brought to mind in a letter published in the Aberdeen Journal of Wednesday, 21st of November 1838, at page 3 column 4.
Destitution in the Higher Districts of Aberdeenshire
The following letter from the Minister of Corgarff, has just been received by Provost Milne. The statements which it contains are so distressing a nature, that we should only weaken their force by any comment of ours the situation of these poor people cannot be overlooked; and we trust that means will be adopted for giving them early and effective aid.
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Loinmore, 13th November 1838 My Lord Provost, - the importance of the subject will, I trust, plead my apology for the liberty I have taken in troubling you with the following communication. I have addressed your Lordship, because you are acquainted with this part of the country, and because of the well-known benevolence of your heart will naturally lead you to feel for the destitute condition of the inhabitants. I have addressed your Lordship, also, because, If I mistake not, you were a member of the Aberdeen Destitution Committee for managing the collections, made in 1831, for relieving the distress which then prevailed in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and because I believe you will be qualified to inform me of the best method employed for obtaining a portion of the balance of these Collections, to assist in meeting the urgent necessities of the people in this quarter, arising from the failure of this year's crops. This is the third year in succession Corgarff has been visited by a scarcity of food. In 1836, so great was the deficiency of the crop, that, had it not been for the very liberal aid afforded by the Landed Proprietors of the district, and the assistance granted by the Destitution Committee at Aberdeen, many poor families here must have been in peril of starvation. In 1837, the Bear [a type of Barley] and Potatoes suffered early frost, and the Oats being unusually late, and not nearly filled, yielded little more than half an average return. And this years crop is so fearfully damaged, that all that it can produce will not be sufficient to support the inhabitants more than two months; so that, if public benevolence does not come forward and relieve them, God only knows what will be the consequence. It is, indeed, truly, distressing to think of their condition and prospects. Their crop, on which they depend, lost; their means in consequence of former difficulties, gone; and credit, in their circumstances, not to be expected; they have neither food for the present season, nor seed for that which is to come. I am well aware that it may be said, let the Heritors assist them. In answer to this, if I had the liberty, I am possessed of the means clearly to show that the Heritors in this quarter have already made sacrifice so great, that to expect more from them, would be wholly unreasonable. Should it be suspected that there is any inaccuracy in the preceding statements, or any wish to exaggerate the destitution of this district, let those who take an interest in the case send some one in whom they can confide to make enquiry on the spot; and sure am I, that the strictest scrutiny will only serve to confirm the facts. If your Lordship should think that the publication of this letter, or any part of it in the Aberdeen Newspapers, would have a tendency to promote the object in view, it is at your disposal. Have the goodness, as soon as suits your convenience, to favour me with your opinion and advice. I have the honour to be William Forbes |
One can but hope that aid did reach the people of Corgarff as a result of the above letter; and in the case of some of us reading this - perhaps the reason why were are here today. I need only look at the census for 1841 on the website to see how many of my family were still living at Corryhoul during this period.
Eventually I'll get round to writing some more on this; but here at least are some beginnings: -
At the bottom left hand corner of Corgarff Cemetery there stands a gravestone to " The Lass o' the Lecht", Margaret Cruickshank of Speyside, who tragically perished when she became lost in a snowstorm in February 1860. The body of the 19 year old was discovered by a shepherd in May that year when the snows had melted. The spot where she sank down to die lies in Glenernan (not The Lecht), on the side of the burn of Ernan, near its junction with burn of Fleuchats. The spot is marked by a cairn.
The sandstone gravestone in Corgarff Cemetery reads;
Erected by J & L Cruickshank Balhatomb Strathspey to the memory of their Sister Margaret who perished on the Lecht on the 4th February 1860.
This version of the poem appears in Stray Memories of Strathdon, by Charles Christie, Privately Printed 1938.
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1.Ye Cromdale people, both young and old, 2. A blooming lass in her eighteenth year, 3. Soon the storm came down with fearful force, 4. Beyond the reach of human cry, 5. Her master soon did anxious grow, 6. Hardy lads from Corgarff, Stradown, 7. Glenlivet and Glenconglass, too, |
8. Chapelton lads did not neglect, Through drift and snow to face the Lecht, And each and all won great respect In the search for the corpse that morning. 9. The Tomintoul men deserve
great praise, 10. The Reverend Glennie, a priest of fame, 11. Farquharson of Invercauld, I trow, 12. Afar and near the searchers went, 13. From each hillside the smile of May 14. May we who hear this tale to-day |
The unknown body found on the Lecht in 1937 was buried next to her.
Twa Lums and a Thacket Reef (two chimneys and a thatched roof)
The following family portrait shows the McDonald's at The Faichla on Candacraig Estate around 1885. At this time Faichla was in the disjoined part of the Parish of Tarland that ran from Candacraig to Colnabaichan Toll Bar. This area was later to be incorporated into the Quad Sacre Parish of Corgarff. The building below is long since demolished although part of it may have been used in the wash house which existed at the Lower Faichla during the time of my father's childhood. The bearded man in the picture is Charles Lennox McDonald who was my great great grandfather. He was born and raised at Largue in the Cabrach. The woman seated is his wife Jessie McConnachie. They married in the Parish of Inveravon on the 14th December 1866. The family moved to Candacraig sometime between the birth of Isabella in 1867 in Inveravon and their daughter Ann born in Strathdon in 1869. Ann is missing from the photograph below. At the time this photograph was taken Candacraig Estate was in the hands of Forbes of Newe. He later sold it in 1901 to A. F. Wallace.
Charles Lennox McDonald was head gamekeeper on Candacraig, a job he gave up when he took to farming at Tornahaish. Jessie below was to become my great-grandmother when she married Alexander McHardy. Alexander was a gamekeeper on the estate at this time. (You can read more about Alexander and Jessie in "Grandad McHardy 1856-1939" via the section of this website called "My Father's Stories").
From Left to Right we have: Isa, Lizzie, Nellie, Jessie, Charlie Jnr, Charles, Jessie and Elsie.
The family gravestone is in Corgarff Cemetery. This is the inscription: Charles Lennox McDonald many years gamekeeper at Candacraig, latterly farmer at Tornahaish died 29th March 1907 aged 67 years. His wife Jessie McConnachie died Tornahaish 26th June 1916 aged 72 years. their family Isabella Watt 1948 aged 81, Ann Bryant 1950 aged 80, Elspeth Metcalf 1948 aged 77, Jessie McHardy 1948 aged 75, Liz Farquharson 1959 aged 84, Helen Webster 1962 aged 85, Charles McDonald 1968 aged 88, and Emily Reid 1976 aged 92.
The building of Corgarff Hall was made possible by the kind donation made to his homeland by Alexander McHardy of Easter Corryhoul who had made good in New Zealand. Alexander was the son of John McHardy and his wife Sophia Dunbar. His father John had been born in Ruthven Parish in Forfarshire. Alexander's grandparents Peter McHardy and Elspet Michie having married in the Parish of Glenmuick. Read all about Alexander and see his photograph in the section of this website called "Photographs - other family members". Link to it from here.
Corgarff Hall The corrugated iron clad hall in Corgarff, built in 1892 with money gifted to his native district by Alexander. The following is taken from an unsourced newspaper clipping in the hall records and was kindly forwarded by their keeper Lilian Field. OPENING OF NEW HALL AT CORGARFF The new hall in Corgarff was opened by Lady Forbes of Inverernan the other night, and the proceedings were of a very interesting nature. On Lady Forbes's arrival, accompanied by Misses Forbes, a bonfire was lighted, and Mr J. Simpson played the Forbes March on the bagpipes. When her ladyship drove up to the door Mr James McHardy of Burnside, amid great cheering, presented a key and asked her ladyship, in the name of the Corgarff people, to declare the hall open. Lady Forbes having gracefully performed this ceremony in a few suitable words, was conducted up the hall Mr McHardy, a band playing meanwhile the "Pibroch of Donald Dhu". A Highland reel, made up of the following eight, was then danced - Lady Forbes, Misses Forbes (2), and Mrs C. F. Wattie, Mr J. McHardy, Mr J. F. Philip, Mr A. McHardy (member of committee), and Mr C. F. Wattie, banker. Dancing after this became general, her ladyship and the misses Forbes taking part in a number of dances. Lady Forbes, afterwards addressing Mr J. F. Philip, on behalf of the committee, said she wished to express her pleasure at being asked there that evening for the purpose of opening the hall. Her ladyship made apology for Sir John not being able to be present, and expressed her sorrow at not meeting the Rev. C. F. McHardy, who she said, had laboured so many years with so much vigilance amongst the Corgarff people. (The Rev. Mr. McHardy, it should be explained, has been laid up for a few weeks suffering from severe rheumatism.) Her ladyship also expressed her pleasure at seeing such a nice building, and hoped the hall might be a benefit and pleasure to the Corgarff people for a long time to come (Cheers). Mr Philip, in reply, thanked Lady Forbes for the honour she had done them in coming there that evening to open the hall. He continued - We had serious scruples in asking you to come out so far on a winter evening, but judging from the kindly interest you take in the people of Corgarff, we took the liberty of asking you to favour us with your presence on this occasion, and to this request you most kindly consented. This is not the first occasion on which the people of Corgarff have been deeply indebted to your ladyship and other members of your family. Your many deeds of kindness and charity are well known in the district, and have secured to Sir John and your ladyship the affection and gratitude of the inhabitants of Corgarff. In a word then, ladys and gentlemen, I am sure you will join me in giving three cheers for Lady Forbes. Mr A. Davidson, carpenter, was then called to the platform, and delivered some original verses in celebration of the event of the evening, the reading of the lines being received with cheers. Mr J. F. Philip proposed a vote of thanks to the subscribers, and in doing so said they had already got £101 18s 6d. This was mainly due, as most of them were aware, to their kind and generous friend, Mr McHardy, New Zealand, who headed the list with a handsome donation of £50. They had also received donations from all the shooting lessees in the district. The principal subscribers were :- General Sir John Forbes, Messrs E. Reiss, Edinglassie; A. F. Wallace , Candacraig; L. A. Wallace, Delnadamph; J. J. Mowbray, Allargue; and J. F. Michie, Toronto, all of whom have given £5 each; Messrs Wattie, Bellabeg, C. F. McHardy, Corgarff; the Rev. Mr Meany, Glengairn; Mr Charles Forbes, and Dr Howie, whose subscriptions were £1; Messrs James Milne, D. L. Grant, and Robert Abernethy, 10s 6d each; Messrs Hugh Brown and C.M. Grant, 10 s each. They had also received subscriptions from a number of gentlemen outside their district, some of whom were:- Messrs Rattray, Glenlivet; A. Anderson, G. Smith, A. Troup, and W. Glashan, Ballater; D Campbell, Edinglassie; James Wattie, Glenconrie; John Coutts, Tomnary; James McKenzie, Dinnet; James Forbes, Glenbuchat; James Dey, Strathdon; Mr Gibb, Aberdeen; Mr Douglas, Ballater; and Mr Stewart, Park. Subscriptions had likewise been received from almost every house in Corgarff, and in some cases two, three, and four from one house. There were some who thought there was no use of a hall in the place, who have not given anything, but he hoped that if any of those persons were there that night they might enjoy themselves so much that they would think better of it, and hand over a subscription. He added that the hall had cost, including iron, wood, mason and carpenter work, lamps, beside some extras - in all, about £125. In the name of the committee, he thanked all the subscribers. Mr Wattie, banker, with whose name the toast was coupled, replied in a pithy, humorous speech, and expressed pleasure at seeing such a splendid building and commended the committee for the energetic way in which they had got on with their work. Although there was still some debt, he thought it might be possible to get it cleared off, and he was willing to do a little more himself (Cheers). Ladt Forbes then left amid great cheering, the piper again playing the Forbes March. Dancing was continued until about 11 o'clock, when tea (prepared by Mrs McHardy, Burnside, and Miss Symon, Corryhoul) was served out by the committee. During the interval a number of songs and recitations were given by Mr C. F. Wattie, banker, Mr John Simpson, Corgarff; Mr Smith, gardener, Castle Newe; and Mr James Grassick, Roughpark. After this dancing was resumed. Music was supplied by Mr John Knowles', jun., Ballater string band. Messrs W. Philip and J. Simpson discharged the duties of M.C.'s, in a pleasing manner. There were over 200 ladies and gentlemen prsent, some of whom were Lady Forbes, and Misses Forbes (2), Mr and Mrs C. F. Wattie, Bellabeg, Dr Howie, Mr and Miss Forbes, Glenbuchat; Mr and Mrs Coutts Culquhonny; Mr Dow, Forbestown; Miss Dey, ditto; Miss Symon, Post Office; Mr Mark, accountant; Miss Gordon, Invernettie; Misses Spence, Misses Grassick, Mr P. McGregor, Mr Reid, flesher; Mr and Mrs D. Grassick, Mr James Milne, Torrandhu; Messrs Gillanders, Glengairn; Mr McDonald, do.; Miss McHardy, do.; Mr and Miss Stewart, Parks Coldstone; &c., &c. Praise is certainly due to the committee for the excellent manner in which everything was conducted. |
With thanks to Lilian Field, and Derek and Adrienne Moller (nee McHardy) in New Zealand.
The following was unearthed in the Press & Journal newspaper for April 17th 1937.
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The Delnadamph and Faevait grazings extending to about 10,000 acres approx, will be let for season 1937. Conditions of letting can be ascertained from John McDonald, gamekeeper Delnadamph, Strathdon, or from Charles Christie; Factor, 124 Kings Gate, Aberdeen who will receive offers. |
The Faevait (Feith Bhait, Fae meaning a slow burn in mossy ground which describes the area well) was once an area of dispute between the Earl of Marr and the Duke of Gordon in the early 18th century. My own family became embroiled in the dispute; you can read more about this on the page "Corryhoul and the McHardy Family Page 2".
Charles Christie mentioned above was also the Factor of Candacraig Estate; it was he who wrote the book "Stray Memoirs of Strathdon", privately published in 1938.
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FOUNd ON LEICHT 3 TH MAY 1937 A MAN UNKNOWN |
This small stone sits near the bottom of Corgarff Cemetery and marks the last resting place of a man found dead on the Lecht when the snows from the winter storm of 1937 began receding. My father had pointed out the stone to me as a child. Dad would have been 10 at the time the man's body was found, and remembers hearing about it at the time. The Lecht is still notorious for being blocked during winter storms. Less so these days since the ski centre was built there; it requires road access to function and now clearing the snow is prioritised as such. However in the 1930's less effort was made to open the road to traffic in winter. It was not unusual for it to remain blocked for many months on end. In my father's time a sign was erected in November near the Tornahaish Toll stating "SNOW - ROAD BLOCKED". The sign was not removed until May when a lorry load of council workmen, aided by a Bamford steam powered snow plough from Alford, would physically dig it clear. The steam plough was driven by Bertie Taylor from Montgarrie. It was during one such clearing operation that the man's body was found. He was never identified. The stone was carved and erected by Joseph Coutts who farmed at Wester Corryhoul, and also doubled as the Corgarff gravedigger. It sits next to the one erected for Margaret Cruickshank who also perished in a winter storm and was immortalised in the poem The Lass o' the Lecht. The following appeared in the Press & Journal newspaper at page 7 on 4th May 1937. In going through the newspaper looking for information it was evident that there had been a fierce winter storm that year.
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"Storm Tragedy on Lecht - Body of Man found in Snowdrift A tragedy of the terrific snowstorm which the North of
Scotland experienced towards the end of January and in the beginning of February
was discovered yesterday afternoon in the Strathdon district. |
And this was followed up in the Press and Journal newspaper on May 8th at p8 ;
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"Snowstorm Victim - Buried Unidentified in Corgarff Cemetery" The body of the man found in the snowdrifts on the Lecht
road on Monday was buried yesterday in the cemetery at Corgarff. It was not
identified. |
The Sculpture with the keeper's house at Badochurn in the background. The dark circles are binocular lenses embedded in the granite. One points left to the castle; the other to the right up the glen. Carved into the stone are the following words...........Take a moment to behold, As still skies or storms unfold, In sun rain sleet or snow, Warm your soul before you go.
As reported by in the Press & Journal newspaper 28th June 2004.
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Striking granite sculpture that is designed to draw attention to the
landscape surrounding it was unveiled to the public at Corgarff yesterday.
The artwork by Strathdon artist Louise Gardner was part of a commission from the
Gordon Forum for the Arts group.The work not only features engraved poetry, but also contains lenses that focus
on points in the nearby landscape.The sculpture is located near the Allargue Hotel, around halfway up the hill
towards the Lecht ski centre.
It was unveiled by arts group chairman and leading playwright Charles Barron
during an afternoon ceremony.
He said the work was commissioned in 2002, and had only recently been completed.
"The point is to offer something that fits into the landscape," he said.
"There are words on it which comment on the weather and the hills and the fact
that people manage to survive (there) somehow.
"It's magnificent - it's so big and yet it fits in with the landscape so well."
Those who attended the ceremony were invited to take along picnics, and
instructed to simply enjoy their surroundings for the duration of the event.
Comment: Something different placed on the downslope of the first car park on the Lecht road. Fits the bet on the first nicht o' heavy rain that the pathie takes a walk doon the hillside leavin a trail of unsightly dubs. The patchy colours on the hillside behind are the results of heather burning; this stimulates the growth of new heather on which grouse feed. The shooting of grouse being an important source of revenue for the local estates and inhabitants.
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